Good morning,

When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.

Paul encourages the Colossians’ to follow Christ. Paul tells them to allow the word of God to dwell in them, whatever they do, do it heartily to the Lord, pray, and allow their speech be seasoned with salt.

We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions. 

The Word of God (Colossians 3:16-17)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

1) Paul knew the Word of God, Jesus. He knew that His teachings were the foundation for living the Christian life.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

2) Paul also knew that the Word of God was truthful.

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

3) Paul knew that the Word of God was quick, powerful, and sharp.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrew 4:12)

4) Paul knew that the Word of God would stand forever.

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

It is important to know the Word of God.

Paul goes a step further. He challenges the Colossians’ to teach the Word of God through psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. He wants them to do everything in the name of Jesus, while giving thanks to God the Father.

That is the challenge for us today.

Do we know God’s Word? Do we know it well enough to teach it? Would someone who did not know us, see Jesus in us? And are we giving thanks to God?

The letter to the Colossians was not written solely to the leadership. It was written to individual church members. God has given us the responsibility to carry out His work.

Are we willing to accept God’s challenge of service?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.

In the letter to the Colossians Paul encourages them to follow Christ. Paul tells them that they are risen with Christ, forgiven and why, challenges them to seek Christ, and contrasts the old man and the new man.

We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions. 

New man: Put ON (Colossians 3:10-15)

“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:¹¹ Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.¹² Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;¹³ Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. ¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

When we trust Christ as Savior and Lord we are changed. We are “…renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” We have the knowledge of Christ.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

God gives us new desires and motivations. We should see a change in how we live our lives. The character qualities listed should be evident in our lives.

The life of Christ demonstrates these characteristics. Take any story about Jesus and one of these character qualities will appear. Jesus is our example. When we see Jesus, we see what we should desire to be.

The other thing to remember is that Jesus was, before our salvation, and is now, doing all these things for us. Think about His forgiveness of our sin, His mercy, His kindness, His longsuffering, and His charity, love.

These character qualities bind. They bring people together. They build up people. These are the character qualities that make the body of Christ work efficiently.

Have we put on the new man? Do we desire to be like Jesus? Are we willing to obey God’s word and become more like Christ?

Today would be a good day to start!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.

In the letter to the Colossians Paul encourages them to follow Christ. Paul tells them that they are risen with Christ, forgiven and why, challenges them to seek Christ, and contrasts the old man and the new man.

We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions. 

The old man: Put OFF (Colossians 3:5-9)

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:⁶ For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:⁷ In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.⁸ But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.⁹ Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;”

Mortify means kill or put to death. Paul is telling the Colossians, and us, to put to death these sins. Continuing in these sins, brings the wrath of God upon on them.

Further, Paul tells the Colossians, and us, to put off certain character qualities. All of these lead to disharmony, disloyalty, and separation between believers in Christ.

Although, we think believers in Christ do not participate in these types of behavior, they do. It is obvious in the first century church and in the twenty-first century church of today.

God is giving us a warning. Will we heed the warning?

Tomorrow, we will see what we are to Put ON.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.

In the letter to the Colossians Paul encourages them to follow Christ. Paul tells them that they are risen with Christ, forgiven and why, challenges them to seek Christ, and contrasts the old man and the new man.

We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions. 

Challenge to seek Christ (Colossians 3:1-4)

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

Who is risen with Christ? Those, who by faith, have trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

What does God tell us to do? Seek those things above. Heavenly things. The Bible tells us of these things. God gives us everything we need to know about things above. How to live above this world.

After we know, then we set our affections on the things above. Do we have more affection for the things of this world or for those of heaven? What we have here is very temporary. What we have in heaven is eternal.

Christ bought us from the slave market of sin. He saved us, forgave all our sins, cleaned us up, and gave us His life. We have eternal life through Jesus.

These verses should motivate us to live totally for Jesus. To do everything to honor and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.

In the letter to the Colossians Paul encourages them to follow Christ. Paul tells them that they are risen with Christ, forgiven and why, challenges them to seek Christ, and contrasts the old man and the new man.

We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions. 

Forgiven and why (Colossians 2:13-15)

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; ¹⁴ Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;¹⁵ And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Prior to salvation, we were dead to the ways of God. We lived for self. We engaged in all the worldly pleasures Satan gave us.

Then we trusted Christ as Savior and Lord. He quickened, or made us alive in Him. Our desires no longer are centered on pleasing self, but pleasing God. When we repented of our sin, Christ forgave all our transgressions, sin.

We owed a debt we could not pay. He paid that debt that He did not owe. He blotted out the “…handwriting of ordinances…” Those being the list of all our sins. He nailed them to His cross. It is significant that it was nailed to Jesus cross. No other cross or person would have been sufficient.

ONLY JESUS!

Having conquered sin and death, He triumphed over the powers of evil, and Satan. The battle is over and Christ has overcome Satan.

Satan no longer has dominion over the child of God.

Believers in Christ never have to be discouraged or defeated. Jesus Christ who bought our salvation is also the one who has defeated Satan.

Trust Jesus. Obey His word. He will bring you through.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.

In the letter to the Colossians Paul encourages them to follow Christ. Paul tells them that they are risen with Christ, forgiven and why, challenges them to seek Christ, and contrasts the old man and the new man.

We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions. 

Risen with Christ (Colossians 2:12)

“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

When we, by faith, trusted Christ to be our Lord and Savior, we died, were buried, and then raised from the dead.

Romans 6:3-7 explains what happened.

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin.”

Through faith in Christ we have a new life, we identify with and live our lives for Jesus Christ. Since the “old man” has been crucified, we no longer serve sin. Sin has no dominion over us. (Romans 6:9)

What a liberating thought. “For he that is dead is freed from sin.” We no longer have to serve sin. We choose to sin. Just like Adam and Eve. One command from God. They could choose to obey or reject God’s command. Same for us today. We will be tempted, but we are the only one who can obey or disobey God’s commands.

Choose wisely!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.

In the letter to the Colossians Paul encourages them to follow Christ. Paul prays for them, gives them seven portraits of the person of Christ, tells them how Christ reconciled them to Himself, how Christ dwells in them, and that they need to walk in Christ.

We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions. 

Walk in Christ (2:6-8)

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:⁷ Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.⁸ Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

The Colossians, like all other saved believers, received Christ by faith (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8–9). Paul’s implication is that those who accepted Christ in faith ought to “walk”—to live and think—by faith, as well (Colossians 2:7). The false teachings confronting Colossae emphasized works and personal sacrifice as the means to pleasing God. It is true that works are a vital aspect of the Christian’s life (1 John 3:17–18), but these are the results of saving faith, not the source of it. Our walk with God must be rooted in faith—and therefore rooted in Him, not us—just as salvation is. Otherwise, our spirituality is based on human performance and is destined to fail.
A person who has received Christ as Lord will live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). This kind of faith will lead to many good works, but our salvation remains constant despite our actions because it is based on Christ and what He has done.

Paul provides three images that show the importance of walking in faith (Colossians 2:6). First, we are “rooted” in Christ. The idea is that of a tree or plant whose roots form the strength and basis for life. The believer’s roots are Christ, not another source, as false teachers would suggest. Second, the believer is “built up” in Christ. This building or architectural metaphor speaks of a building that is constructed by the power of Christ. Just as only Christ can save a person, only Christ can build up or mature a person. Third, to be “established” in the faith is a legal metaphor referring to maturity or something firmly decided.

The second half of the verse refers again to Epaphras, the man who brought Christianity to the Colossians. His outreach to these people included the true gospel, in contrast with the false teachings Paul is about to address. The result of the true gospel of Jesus is thanksgiving (Colossians 1:3; Colossians 4:2).

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.

In the letter to the Colossians Paul encourages them to follow Christ. Paul prays for them, gives them seven portraits of the person of Christ, tells them how Christ reconciled them to Himself, how Christ dwells in them, and that they need to walk in Christ.

We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions. 

Christ dwells within (1:24-27)

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: ²⁵ Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;²⁶ Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:²⁷ To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

Colossians 1:24–29 completes this passage with an emphasis on Paul’s work as a minister. According to Paul, his suffering is a service he offers for the sake of Christ, on behalf of the other believers. Paul’s work for the sake for the church is just that: work. He is striving, fighting, and ”toiling” on behalf of his faith. All the same, Paul recognizes that anything he accomplishes is only through the power given through Christ.

The “mystery” of Christ was both for Jews and Gentiles. In addition to mystery, Paul here notes God’s sovereignty, which is His perfect and all-encompassing knowledge and control. The revelation came only when God chose to make it happen. This mystery was “great” both in content and impact among the Gentiles, including to the Colossian believers.

The glory of this mystery “is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Christ came to earth and also now lives in those who believe. Interestingly, this is the one place in Paul’s letters he uses the explicit phrasing of Christ “in you.” He seeks to make the gospel message very personal for these Colossian Christians, whom he has never personally met. With Christ in you, as a saved believer, you have the “hope of glory.” In other words, a believer can be confident of eternity with Christ in heaven when he or she knows Christ is already in them now.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.

In the letter to the Colossians Paul encourages them to follow Christ. Paul prays for them, gives them seven portraits of the person of Christ, tells them how Christ reconciled them to Himself, how Christ dwells in them, and that they need to walk in Christ.

We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions. 

Reconciliation (1:20-23)

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.²¹ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled ²² In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:²³ If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”

Jesus provided reconciliation through the cross (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Ephesians 2:16). This reconciliation includes all things, in all places. This peace, however, came at a high price: the blood of Christ. Just as a sacrifice was used in the Old Testament to make peace and reconciliation with God, Jesus served as a once-for-all sacrifice on behalf of the sins of all people. Those who accept His sacrifice and believe have eternal life (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8–9).

Christ reconciled me to Himself on 20 April 1972. It has been my desire to grow closer to Him, learn more about Him, and minister through Him, ever since.

How about you? Has Jesus reconciled Himself to you? Have you ever trusted Christ to be your Lord and Savior? He takes us as we are. All He wants is us to come to Him. He will do the rest.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.

In the letter to the Colossians Paul encourages them to follow Christ. Paul prays for them, gives them seven portraits of the person of Christ, tells them how Christ reconciled them to Himself, how Christ dwells in them, and that they need to walk in Christ.

We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions. 

Seven portraits of the person of Christ (1:15-19)

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: ¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;”

1. Image of the invisible God. Jesus is God in human form, the visible image of the invisible God. The unseen God became seen, in the form of Jesus.

2. Firstborn of every creature. The term “firstborn” refers to supremacy, or priority. Jesus is the greatest over all creation. He is not a created being; He is the Creator.

3. By him were all things created. Jesus created all things.

4. He is before all things. Here, Paul explains that Jesus existed prior to all other things. He is eternal, just like God the Father (John 1:1–3). In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). God the Father, Son, and Spirit (Genesis 1:2–3) were all involved in creation.

5. He is the head of the body, the church. All believers are under Christ’s authority and leadership. The “head” is the source of decision-making, authority, and control. Christ is meant to be the source of our faith, and our lives should reflect His commands.

6. Firstborn from the dead. Paul refers to Jesus as “the firstborn from the dead,” a reference to His resurrection.

7. He might have the preeminence. Because Jesus rose from the dead, He is to be “preeminent.” The Greek wording in this last phrase emphasizes Jesus as supreme in all things.

This devotion should give us cause to think about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Without Jesus we would not be alive. He created us. He died for our sins. Sins He did not commit. He has given us life, physical and spiritual.

Ponder the greatness and supremacy of Jesus Christ.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001